Dream Job Turns Into a Dead End: H-1B Worker Loses FAANG Offer After 15-Month Wait

A highly skilled H-1B professional has shared a painful account of how years of effort and a long-awaited Big Tech opportunity unraveled due to tightening U.S. immigration policies. The story, posted on Reddit, highlights the growing uncertainty faced by foreign workers as visa rules become more restrictive and unpredictable.

After waiting nearly 15 months for a role at a major technology company, the worker ultimately saw the offer withdrawn—not because of performance or qualifications, but because of immigration hurdles beyond their control.

A Career Put on Hold

The professional had completed the maximum six years allowed under the H-1B visa in October 2024. With no immediate extension available, they were forced to leave the United States, despite having built a strong career and life there.

Just two months later, hope returned. The individual successfully cleared interviews at a FAANG company, landing what many would consider a dream job. The employer initially agreed to bring them back to the U.S. under the AC21 extension rule, which allows H-1B workers to extend their stay if they have an approved I-140 petition from a previous employer.

Delays That Changed Everything

However, the I-140 approval—critical to the process—took nearly a year. It finally came through in October 2025, but by then, the landscape had shifted dramatically.

The U.S. government announced a proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions filed from outside the country, sending shockwaves through the tech industry. As the policy faced legal challenges in court, companies grew cautious.

Hiring Freeze and Mounting Uncertainty

In response to the new fee and legal uncertainty, the FAANG employer froze the hiring process. The worker’s start date was postponed repeatedly, stretching months of waiting into an emotional and financial ordeal.

Behind the scenes, lawyers and recruiters waited for clarity. For the worker, life remained on pause—unable to plan, relocate, or move forward professionally.

Offer Rescinded

In January 2026, the uncertainty came to an abrupt end. The company officially rescinded the offer, citing immigration risk and the financial burden associated with the new visa fee.

What began as a promising comeback ended in silence and loss.

Personal and Financial Toll

The worker, who has experience spanning cybersecurity, law enforcement, and artificial intelligence, described the delay as devastating. Savings were drained, mental health suffered, and career momentum stalled—despite possessing skills that are in high demand globally.

“I did everything right,” the post implied. “And still, it wasn’t enough.”

A Broader Reality for Indian H-1B Workers

This story is no longer an exception. For many Indian professionals on H-1B visas, years of planning are collapsing under increasingly strict immigration policies. Long green card backlogs, sudden rule changes, and rising costs are pushing skilled workers out of the U.S., even as companies struggle to find talent.

As the U.S. government tightens visa rules and raises barriers for employment-based immigration, stories like this reflect a growing disconnect between policy and the realities of a global workforce—where talent is ready, but doors are steadily closing.Read more…